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Oborne and Heller trace the origins of cricket as a commercial entertainment through its evolution to a form of moral improvement and tool of empire, and argue that cricket today - dominated by the Indian Premier League's wealth and scale - has come full circle. From Australia to the Caribbean to Afghanistan, they explore the way cricket developed across the globe, examining its role in colonialism, education and politics; where it flourished and where it failed to take root.

In its earliest forms in the 18th century, cricket was a commercial entertainment, a vehicle for gambling alongside cock-fighting or wrestling. In the Victorian era, the sport was rejuvenated as a means of keeping order in England's public schools and increasingly became linked with ideas of virtue and manliness. Exported by empire loyalists abroad, cricket took root across the globe - wildly successfully in some countries, indelibly linked with racism and violence in others, and failing to thrive in certain regions. At all times, the authors argue, cricket either evolves or dies. Today, the monetisation of cricket suggests it has returned to its original purpose - less a sport or self-mythologising value system than a commercial enterprise to be ruthlessly exploited.

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*Standard hardback edition*

The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has been published every year since 1864.

In this 163rd edition, Tanya Aldred looks at cricket's historic links with the mining community and Harry Pearson goes on a nostalgic journey around the vanished grounds of the county game. As tension between India and Pakistan reached breaking point, threatening the equilibrium of the global game, Gideon Haigh delves into a long and complex relationship. Osman Samiuddin reports on the headlong fall of Imran Khan, while Derek Pringle remembers Dickie Bird.

As usual, Wisden includes the eagerly awaited Notes by the Editor, the Cricketers of the Year awards, and the authoritative obituaries. There are reports and scorecards for every Test, together with forthright opinion, compelling features and comprehensive records.

\"There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden.\" Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph

@WisdenAlmanack

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'a wonderful tale' - David 'Bumble' Lloyd

'one of cricket's most distinctive writers' - Andy Zaltzman

THIS GROUND-BREAKING BOOK REVEALS THE SCIENCE, SKILL AND CULTURE THAT MADE THE 50 GREATEST BATTERS OF ALL TIME.

Most batters just do their best, yet the top players create art. It is physically impossible to face an 80mph delivery and track it with your eyes, yet the greatest batters do more than just watch the ball, they can see into the future.

This book is about the batters who see what mortals don't: Javed Miandad purposefully making errors to manipulate the field; Sachin Tendulkar digging up a pitch to take on Warne; Shivnarine Chanderpaul practising non-stop on a beach until he mastered his technique; and Joe Root playing against spin as a result of three random events. Others, such as Smith, Pietersen and Richards, carried on the work of a man 100 years before their time, meanwhile Ranji changed cricket with a bucket.

Their methods and stories are different, but their currency is the same: runs. Through interviews with cricketing greats such as David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Nasser Hussain, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara, this book shows you the science, skill and culture that made the 50 greatest batters of all time - and, ultimately, how they conquered leather with willow.

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Test Cricket

by Tim Wigmore